Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint drawing by Faith Ringgold. It dates from 1971 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1971, this work by Faith Ringgold is a mixed-media drawing composed of cut and pasted colored paper mounted on board. It belongs to The Museum of Modern Art’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s early exploration of text and abstraction. The composition relies on stark, geometric forms and layered paper elements to convey a sense of disruption and urgency.
Subject & Meaning
The repeated words 'Woman' and 'Noce'—possibly a misspelling or deliberate distortion of 'Noce' or another term—appear in large, irregular lettering. Their fragmentation suggests a critique of language and identity, particularly as it relates to gender and cultural representation. The repetition evokes a chant or protest, turning the page into a site of political and personal resonance.
Technique & Style
Ringgold constructed the piece using hand-cut paper shapes in bold red, black, and green, layered and glued onto a rigid surface. The edges are deliberately jagged, and overlapping forms create dynamic tension. The absence of brushwork emphasizes the handmade, collage-like quality, aligning with the aesthetic of 1970s Black feminist art practices that valued directness and material economy.
History & Provenance
The work entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection as part of its broader effort to expand representation in postwar American art. It was created during a period when Ringgold was deeply engaged with community-based activism and experimental art forms. Its acquisition reflects institutional recognition of her contributions to conceptual drawing and narrative art outside traditional mediums.
Context
Made during the height of the Black Arts Movement and second-wave feminism, the piece responds to intersecting struggles for racial and gender equity. Ringgold’s use of text and collage mirrors contemporaneous efforts by artists to reclaim language and imagery. The work resists passive observation, inviting viewers to confront fragmented identities and silenced voices.
Legacy
This work anticipates Ringgold’s later narrative quilts and children’s books, where text and image merge to tell personal and collective stories. Its raw, unpolished aesthetic influenced a generation of artists working at the intersection of craft, politics, and identity. It remains a quiet but potent example of how simple materials can carry complex social weight.
Artist & collection
Artist
Faith Ringgold was an American painter, author, mixed media sculptor, performance artist, and intersectional activist, perhaps best known for her narrative quilts.
